Legendary Sunil Gavaskar feels Chennai Super Kings’ success depends on their top order in the Indian Premier League. Gavaskar tipped Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway as the best opening pair in the IPL.
While Conway scored 672 runs in 16 matches in IPL 2023 at a strike rate of 139.70, Gaikwad amassed 590 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 147.50 in the previous season. Thus, the opening pair consistently delivered for CSK and played a key role in taking the franchise to glory.
During a discussion on Star Sports, Gavaskar was asked about CSK’s batting potency heading into IPL 2024.
The former Indian opener said, “That’s been their advantage over the years. All these years, they have always had batters at the top who can take the attack to the opposition from the first ball itself and then they have got the finishers as well.”
“I feel their left and right-handed opening combination of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway is probably the best opening pair in the IPL because they always gave good starts last year. So the pressure was slightly eased on the players who used to come at No. 4 and No. 5,” the former India captain added.
The Little Master added it is crucial to have batters who can hit sixes despite batting at number seven in run-chases.
“You always think about scoring runs in T20 cricket but chasing is also important. For chasing, you need to have a lineup where someone can come at No. 7 as well and hit big sixes,” he said.
Meanwhile, CSK captain MS Dhoni was able to add the finishing touches in IPL 2023 for CSK. The talisman scored 104 runs in 12 innings at a staggering strike rate of 182.45. The CSK skipper smashed a total of 10 sixes in the previous season.
IPL 2024 will begin on March 22.
